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Calling any Thermostat experts STAT! :)

HVAC experts -

I would appeciate your help. New to this website and I think it's the most informative, honest hvac site on the net - bravo!

Background
After an 18 year old Lennox Pulse furnace didn't pass the heat exchanger pressure test (only held for 2 minutes instead of 10), it was recommended we replace our furnace. Since our a/c is also a Lennox and 18 yrs old, we decided to buy a new furnace and airconditioner.

We have purchased a Bryant 987MA42080017 modulating 80,000 btus and a Bryant 126BNA036 16SEER A/C (3ton) In addition, we are getting a Honeywell Humidifier - True Ease. Waiting for installation in a few weeks. Price for the furnace is about $. Price for a/c is $. Price for humidifier is $.
The company will include a basic thermostat for free - no bells and whistles.

Question:It was recommended for us to get either a Honeywell Prestige 8000 or a Bryant Evolution thermostat.
What are the differences?
Which is better? Are there more problems with the techy ones than a simple basic one?
Have there been any reports of problems with either one? Which stat do you like best?
Would you recommend a different one than those two?

We read online from the two websites and we can't figure out which way to go -
super simple (free), Honeywell, or Bryant. Also, any idea what these stats should cost - still waiting for the bids on that.

To answer your question...No, the contractor did not give me a quote for the Evolution nor the Honeywell stat.

He said that the quote included a basic no frills stat.

We're living in a very small community - not a lot of competition. Only one other contractor sells Bryant and since like you say, "It's all in the install" we wanted to go with the company we chose because they have a better rep for installation. The other bid did however, include an Evolution stat. FYI - the competing bid: Furnace $$$ (including the Evolution), A/C $$$, Humidifier $$$.

I'm sure it varies around the country, but what should we expect approx. for an Evolution stat price or a Honeywell stat price? What would happen if a Honeywell was put on a Bryant system? What specifically, makes the Evolution better? By the way, I see you are from Richmond area. Family visited there last year - beautiful area!

Can you tell me, though, what would happen if a Honeywell was put on a Bryant system? What specifically, makes the Evolution better?

The contractor likes both, but is favoring the Honeywell - says it is easier to get a part if the thermostat goes bad, compared to waiting for parts from Bryant which would have to be shipped to him from out of state. Don't know if this is bogus or what.

Also, is it more difficult to install a Bryant Evolution and set it up than a Honeywell? Or are they both easy for the installers to do?

Don't know how to edit my own post and remove the prices. Sorry. I thought it would help answer Beshvac's question. But, if someone feels like they can answer the general, non-money questions, I'd be most grateful.

Honeywell makes thermostats that will work with any system and they also make stats for manufacturers to work with their system (trane). Each manufacture uses slightly different logic in their control boards and have a stat that is designed for that logic. Honeywell will not be specifically designed to work with the logic of the control board so you won't get all the benefits. As for problems with Tstats it is rare for a tstat to be the problem. Sometimes the batteries will corrode and make the stat act weird but in any case if the stat is bad you put up a new one they are not repairable. If the Bryant stat is on back order you can put up any stat temporarily and make the unit work until it comes in.

The contractor is adding a Honeywell all house humidifier to the Bryant furnace. Is that an issue -like the stat - and should I have a Bryant humidifier instead of Honeywell or doesn't it matter as far as performance?

Thank you all HVAC members for being unselfish of your time and helping us with these questions.